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We are what we think. All that we are arises with our thoughts. With our thoughts, we make the world. ~ The Buddha

Skillful Speech

Submitted by admin on Tue, 01/02/2018 - 11:09

Have you ever wondered why it is you can talk to someone until you're "blue in the face" and walk away knowing you haven't been heard? Has anyone ever told you, "You never listen to me or if you do, you don't hear me!"? Do your disagreements with others end up in cold silence? Heated exchanges? Hurt feelings and disconnection?

As Insight Meditation practitioners, we know that telling the truth, speaking from lovingkindness rather than from an intent to harm, not being divisive and avoiding idle talk are the Buddha's instructions for Skillful Speech.

But HOW do we DO that?

In the 1970's, Marshall B. Rosenberg, Ph.D., took decades of observing human behavior, especially around communication, and distilled a spiritual practice that he named "Nonviolent Communication" or NVC. He began teaching others this practice and over the decades since then, until his passing in 2016, he circled the globe many times around, sowing the seeds of nonviolence among the gangs of Los Angeles, Palestinian refugee camps, the cities of Bosnia and Serbia and many, many more people and places.

PIMC is happy to offer to you this 10-week (plus one day-log retreat) course in which you will learn the method and practical application of NVC.

Dharma teacher and NVC Facilitator, Doyle Banks will guide you into a life-long practice of empathic connection that will help you connect more deeply and consistently with your inner self and with those around you. Using situations from your own lives, he will show how to create connections with loved ones, co-workers, employers/employees, even complete strangers!

Also, our Dharma Friend, Kirsten Smith will be assisting Doyle with the class as part of her ongoing learning and practice of NVC.

If you have ever wished you knew how to communicate better and experience better, more peaceful, happier outcomes, then come find out how to apply the Dharma using the tool of NVC.

The workshop will be held in the Living Room Portland Insight Meditation Community6536 SE Duke Street, Portland, OR 97206

There will also be a day-long retreat on Saturday, February 10, 2018 from 9:00am to 5:30pm. (NOTE: Retreat attendance is a necessary part of this course. If you cannot attend, please consider taking the course at a later date.)